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2003 Mazda Mpv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mpv years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mazda Mpv are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 25 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

113 reports
68,800 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH. A RECALL WAS ISSUE BY MAZDA REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH. A RECALL WAS ISSUE BY MAZDA REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,800. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10302985

60,000 miles · Jan 12, 2010
VisibilityFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE LIGHT ON THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION. THERE WERE TWO BURN HOLES IN THE VISOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE LIGHT ON THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION. THERE WERE TWO BURN HOLES IN THE VISOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HIM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10299528

122,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, THAN THE WATER PUMP BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE WATERPUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE REQUIRED A VALVE JOB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283919

78,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. IN 2004, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PCV HOSE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE, EVEN THOUGH NO FAILURES WERE PRESENT. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE YEARS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. IN 2004, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PCV HOSE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE, EVEN THOUGH NO FAILURES WERE PRESENT. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE YEARS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY, SHAKES, AND SURGES WHENEVER IT IS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MODEL NOR THE RECALLED MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING NORMALLY SINCE THE MOST RECENT REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PLACED THE CURRENT HOSE ON THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2004 AT 30,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 08/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/14/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10278511

77,000 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Electrical System

2003 MAZDAMPV STARTED TO STALL AND LOSE POWER. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL 1 AND 3. I HAD THEM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278399

20,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD FOUR DIFFERENT COILS REPLACED ON A 2003 MAZDA MPV VAN, EACH COSTING OVER $1,000 IN TOTAL AND FOUR DIFFERENT VISITS AND RENTALS. I SEEM TO NOTICE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM ABOUT 2 YEARS UNTIL 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277210

42,395 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Power Train

A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD NOTICED THAT MY 2003 MAZDA MPV WAS JERKING OR HESITATING. I ONLY HAVE 42,395 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO ONE PLACE AND WAS TOLD IT SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION TROUBLE TO THEM. I BROUGHT IN TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY SHOWED ME WHERE THE METAL WAS ETCHED OUT>MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN A…

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A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD NOTICED THAT MY 2003 MAZDA MPV WAS JERKING OR HESITATING. I ONLY HAVE 42,395 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO ONE PLACE AND WAS TOLD IT SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION TROUBLE TO THEM. I BROUGHT IN TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY SHOWED ME WHERE THE METAL WAS ETCHED OUT>MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN APRIL 2007 I WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM NOW BEFORE THE ENTIRE ENGINE SEIZED. I HAVE BEEN A MAZDA OWNER SINCE 1993 FIRST I HAD A PROTEGE THEN THE 626 NOW I OWN THE MPV I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO SOON WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE/ TO REPLACE EVERYTHING IT WILL COST ME $3480 WHAT A SHAME!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275237

74,801 miles · May 20, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

COIL FAILURES ON 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE FAILURES ARE WIDELY REPORTED. CAUSES VEHICLE STALLING AND LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC. GENERATES CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269494

51,000 miles · May 8, 2009
Electrical System

SIGNIFICANT ENGINE MISSING ON ACCELERATION CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHILE CLEARING INTERSECTION. NEAR MISS ON MAJOR ACCIDENT. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MPV DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ALL 6 COILS AS IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH IS CAUSING THE MISFIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268231

124,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE PROBLEM IS WITH A FAULTY 2003 MAZDA MPV PCV HOSE. ORIGINAL MAZDA RECALL NUMBER 2204H WAS CONDUCTED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FAULTY PCV HOSE. (NOTE: WHEN PCV HOSE COLLAPSED, IT CAUSED A VACUUM LEAK THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSED PROBLEMS WHILE IN TRAFFIC, PROBLEM INTENSITY WAS BETWEEN MINOR AND MAJOR) I HAD MY PCV…

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THE PROBLEM IS WITH A FAULTY 2003 MAZDA MPV PCV HOSE. ORIGINAL MAZDA RECALL NUMBER 2204H WAS CONDUCTED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FAULTY PCV HOSE. (NOTE: WHEN PCV HOSE COLLAPSED, IT CAUSED A VACUUM LEAK THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSED PROBLEMS WHILE IN TRAFFIC, PROBLEM INTENSITY WAS BETWEEN MINOR AND MAJOR) I HAD MY PCV HOSE REPLACED IN 2004 UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE REPLACEMENT HOSE ALSO COLLAPSED. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A PCV HOSE COLLAPSING. I'VE HEARD OF THEM BECOMING DRY/BRITTLE SINCE IT'S A RUBBER HOSE, BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A PCV HOSE COLLAPSING UNTIL THE MAZDA RECALL. THERE IS SOME VACUUM ON THE HOSE, BUT IT'S NOT VERY STRONG, I DON'T THINK IT'S STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A COLLAPSE. IN MY OPINION, THERE NEEDS TO BE A SECOND RECALL TO REPLACE THE NOW COLLAPSING REPLACEMENT HOSES. I CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATION AT 11:30 A.M. ON 7 MAY 09, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DID NOT KEEP RECORDS ON EXPECTED LIFE SPAN OR REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH PARTS AND THAT SINCE I HAD PUT A LOT OF MILES ON THE VAN AND IT WAS 5 YEARS OLD, AND SINCE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, IT WAS NOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE FAULTY REPLACEMENT HOSE. IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT KEEP RECORDS ON FAULTY, RECALLED PARTS, ESPECIALLY FOR UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. MAZDA'S CASE FILE FOR MY COMPLAINT TO THEM IS 123531180. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267955

Official recalls

4

04V282000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 10, 2004

THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TIRE IS OPERATED IN AN UNDER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLE, OR THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL, IF DESIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

04V109000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 9, 2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

03V206000 · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Jun 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

03V053000 · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Feb 13, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING IF EXPOSED TO SHOCK AND/OR VIBRATION AND DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT MAY THEN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION CONDITION OF THE FOG LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY, AND REPAIR IT WHEN NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.